VALOUR    OF    A     B A T T L E-C R U I S E R

seys, overalls, oilskins, and thick white stockings which covered the tops of their long sea-boots. The Second Hand took charge of the operations on deck. The Engineman was at the winch on which the sweep-wire was wound. The ratings stood ready to stream the grey torpedo-shaped float which would support the sweep and mark its position in the water. Even the cook left his galley as he heard the Skipper's next order :

" Out sweep ! "

The float was lifted from its chocks by the

davit and lowered over the side. There was little room for the men on deck to move, and the rolling of the ship might have sent the heavy float swinging against the bulkhead to crush the fingers of an incautious hand. But the men knew their work, and at an order from the Second Hand, the Engineman un-clutched the winch to allow the sweep-wire to veer astern.

As the trawler gathered headway the sweep was taken out 250 yards on to the port quarter by the otter-board suspended from the float,